September 15, 2026
New guide calls for a sports bra in every girl's sports kit
Backed by 25 years of evidence, UOW researcher says a well-fitted sports bra should be standard equipment for girls playing sport
Schools and sporting organisations can help more girls and women participate in sport, prevent drop-out and perform at their best by treating a well-fitted sports bra as essential sporting equipment, says a new evidence-based guide.
Supporting Girls and Women in Sport: Decision-Maker Insights on Breast-Related Issues, Education and Sports Bras in School and Sports Kits is the result of 25 years of research by Professor Deirdre McGhee at the University of Wollongong's (UOW) Breast Research Australia (BRA), written with Victoria University's Professor Clare Hanlon and Dr Elliot Flowers.
The researchers surveyed more than 200 decision-makers across 153 organisations and 73 schools, finding that while sports decision-makers overwhelmingly understand a well-fitted sports bra is essential for participation, very few provide education about correct fit or recognise a sports bra as a standard part of a sports kit.
Professor McGhee said the impacts play out across a woman's life.
"Every woman has to wear a bra. Could she play as well without a supportive bra? She couldn’t. She might be able to still play, but not as well. It's a performance issue, as much as protecting from injury, and it must fit like a pair of shoes. You can have a great pair of boots, but if they don't fit, it's not going to work,” Professor McGhee said.
"Male and female children have the same activity levels. Then girls hit puberty and drop off. They drop again in adulthood, again after pregnancy, again at menopause, so every point where a woman's breasts change, her participation drops with it. We've got a quick, easy fix to help turn that around."
The guide includes two case studies showing practical steps schools, coaches and sporting organisations can take to improve education and access to correctly fitted sports bras.
One regional NSW high school used equity funding to provide girls with free sports bras and education on correct fit. Attendance at fitting sessions increased from 65 to 95 per cent over three years while sports carnival participation increased by 35 per cent. At the Queensland Academy of Sport, training physiotherapists to run fitting sessions proved so popular that teams began requesting them as standard pre-season practice, at no extra cost.
Professor McGhee said these examples show that change doesn’t always require major investment.
“This guide translates research into practice and represents the next step in improving women’s participation in physical activity and athletic performance,” Professor McGhee said.
“More than two decades of research has shown that high-support, correctly fitted sports bras can prevent or relieve breast-related problems during exercise. Supported by the International Olympic Committee’s recognition of sports bras as essential sporting equipment, we hope this guide will help more Australian women and girls exercise in comfort and confidence. It offers a simple, evidence-based solution to a problem that affects far too many women and girls.”
The research was conducted in partnership with Victoria University and Active Education Australia, who will embed the resource into their training with educators across the country, with philanthropic funding supporting development of the guide.